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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Washington, DC. Written by Chelsea Cirruzzo, Cuneyt Dil and Paige Hopkins.

Axios D.C. Thought Bubble

Axios D.C.

D.C.’s real estate market has seen some big shifts during the pandemic.

The market is more balanced now with buyers having increased control, but not too long ago bidding wars and no contingency offers prevailed. That was right when new D.C. resident Elizabeth Allen started her home search.

In this installment of our House Hunt series, we’ll follow her journey buying in the District for the first time.

👋 Who: A social worker and therapist, Allen sold her house in Connecticut in November 2021 after becoming an empty nester. She wanted enough house for when her two kids visit, and a comfortable space for her Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier.

“I was dying to get into the city,” she says of the District. Her move was prompted by a desire to get into policy work, and the fact that her budget would stretch farther here than in a bigger metro like New York.

❤️ Wish list: Three bedrooms, basement, parking, storage space, yard

Option 1: Spacious rowhouse, $849,9000 — Columbia Heights

It's the blue house in the middle. Photo: Paige Hopkins/Axios

3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms | 1,602 square feet

Option 2: Renovated rowhouse, $789,000 — Columbia Heights

It's got a yellow door -- how cute! Photo: Paige Hopkins/Axios

2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms | 1,400 square feet

Option 3: Condo, $750,000 — Columbia Heights

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms | 1,136 square feet

Pros: Lower end of budget, parking, small porch, walkable

Look at that renovated bathroom. Photo: Elizabeth Allen

After experiencing multiple heartbreaks over rejected offers for options one and two, Allen landed this cozy condo with room in the budget for updates. 

Since moving in she’s done a couple of projects, including modernizing the kitchen and primary bathroom.

Plus, she’s loving her walkable new neighborhood and movie nights with neighbors when it’s nice out.

House Hunt: Empty-nesting in D.C.'s Columbia Heights

Elizabeth Allen with her dog Bridget. Photo: Elizabeth Allen

Washington, D.C.

D.C.’s real estate market has seen some big shifts during the pandemic.The market is more balanced now with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="buyers having increased control" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/01/03/dc-2023-housing-market" data-vars-content-id="3a455b05-f142-41f8-a8b8-b4faaab5a2fd" data-vars-headline="House Hunt: Empty-nesting in D.C.&#x27;s Columbia Heights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/01/03/dc-2023-housing-market" target="_self">buyers having increased control</a>, but not too long ago bidding wars and no contingency offers prevailed. That was right when new D.C. resident Elizabeth Allen started her home search.<ul><li>In this installment of our House Hunt series, we’ll follow her journey buying in the District for the first time.</li></ul>

Real Estate

D.C.’s luxury apartment buildings are tripping over each other to offer the best amenities in hopes of drawing in more residents.

Why it matters: As homeownership remains out of reach for many potential buyers, renting is an increasingly attractive option, with exclusive resident offerings from art galleries to private music studios.

Between the lines: The push to add hyper-luxury amenities inside D.C. apartment buildings started ramping up over the last 15 to 20 years, Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors former president Harrison Beacher tells Axios.

As the number of high-paying tech jobs increased in the area, the number of people who could afford buildings with top amenities also increased — sparking competition between buildings.

In recent years, our pandemic shift to spending more time at home has furthered the amenities arms race.

State of play: D.C. rents are rising, and residents have come to expect luxuries to match the price tag.

Building offerings like pet-grooming areas, co-working spaces, free coffee/tea bars and private kitchen and event spaces are all nice, but pretty standard in new and high-end apartment buildings.

We scoured the city looking for unique amenities that scream "indulgence."

A look at the Silva's art gallery by Latela Curatorial back in November 2021. Photo: Paige Hopkins/Axios

🚘 Tesla rentals at NOVEL South Capitol: Through its onsite car share program, the Navy Yard residents are able to rent a Tesla for $27/hour.

🎨 Art gallery at the Silva: The Adams Morgan building features a public art gallery by Latela Curatorial, which means residents are surrounded by art and have the option to buy pieces for themselves.

🌱 Greenhouse at City Ridge: Located near Tenleytown in the same development as the city’s first Wegmans, residents across all four of City Ridge’s residential properties have access to a rooftop community greenhouse.

🎧 Creative studios at Crossing: The Navy Yard apartment building has a podcasting/music recording studio and two music practice rooms.

It also has a 6,000-square-foot spa that includes a lap pool with underwater speakers, a jacuzzi, steam room, and massage professionals available on Mondays and Fridays.

🖼 Museum at Gallery 64: The Southwest residents who are connected to the Rubell Museum through a public courtyard have access to a full, one-year complimentary membership to the museum, which also includes bookstore discounts and access to special events.

Zoom out: Community events are also part of what buildings use to compete for residents. Zillow rental trends expert Emily McDonald says there’s been an increase in free resident experiences in D.C. and beyond, like wine tastings and private chef dinners.

D.C.'s apartment amenities arms race

D.C. apartment buildings are one-upping each other to provide the best amenities.

The Silva's rooftop pool in Adams Morgan.

Views from the Silva's rooftop pool. Photo: Paige Hopkins/Axios

Real estate

D.C.’s luxury apartment buildings are tripping over each other to offer the best amenities in hopes of drawing in more residents.Why it matters: As homeownership <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="remains out of reach" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/22/mortgage-applications-plummet" data-vars-content-id="42d0e333-9ecc-4c6e-a843-72d873c5513f" data-vars-headline="D.C.&#x27;s apartment amenities arms race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/22/mortgage-applications-plummet" target="_self">remains out of reach</a> for many potential buyers, renting is an increasingly attractive option, with exclusive resident offerings from art galleries to private music studios.

The "One with Eternity: Yayoi Kusama in the Hirshhorn Collection" exhibition is here for a few more months.

The display of the beloved work of Yayoi Kusama, who celebrates her 94th birthday Wednesday, was extended at the Hirshhorn Museum through July 16. It was previously scheduled to end this spring.

Why it matters: The exhibition is wildly popular. So far, by Hirshhorn estimates, it's attracted more than 350,000 people (not including kids 12 and under.)

Details: Visitors love the exhibition in part because it centers Kusama’s mirror rooms that showcase her signature polka dots. The experience is brief but perfect for fun pictures and folks with short attention spans.

All of Kusama’s previously displayed works will stay, including the iconic yellow and black “Pumpkin.”

In addition to the mirror rooms — "Phalli’s Field" (red polka dots) and "My Heart Is Dancing into the Universe" (multicolored polka dots) — "Self-Portrait" an etching on loan from the National Museum of Asian Art and "Yayoi Kusama Cp AP," a photogram of Kusama by photographer Kunié Sugiura, will also stay on view.

How to see it: Get free next-day passes online each day at noon. Or Hirshhorn Insider members are able to get at least two passes that are good for one visit whenever the museum is open.

Pro tip: Tickets will go fast, especially now that we’ve entered the busy spring tourism season. If you’re not a Hirshhorn Insider, aim to get tickets right at noon. According to museum officials, they often run out of next-day passes in under 15 minutes.

Children 12 and under don't need their own pass but should be accompanied by an adult (each adult with a pass can bring up to two kids.)

This story was originally published on Oct. 26, 2022, and has been updated to reflect the extension.

Hirshhorn’s Kusama exhibition extended into the summer

The popular exhibition features two immersive infinity mirror rooms.

A visitor enjoy's one of the Kusama exhibition infinity mirror rooms.

A visitor enjoys Kusama's “My Heart Is Dancing into the Universe" infinity mirror room. Photo: Courtesy of Matailong Du 

The &quot;One with Eternity: Yayoi Kusama in the Hirshhorn Collection&quot; exhibition is here for a few more months.

Things to Do

Peacock recently debuted “Who Killed Robert Wone?” a documentary about the unsolved murder of a young D.C. lawyer in 2006 that captivated people inside the Beltway and out.

🍿What's happening: The documentary doesn’t crack the "real-life parlor mystery," as the Washington Post once called it. But it's totally worth a watch for true-crime fans or locals who were obsessed with the case.

The 32-year-old lawyer made plans to stay overnight at the home of his friends Joseph Price, Victor Zaborsky, and Dylan Ward near Dupont Circle instead of driving to Oakton, where he lived with his wife.

Around midnight, one of the men called 911 saying an intruder stabbed Wone. Police arrived and found him looking as if he'd been "showered, redressed, and placed" in bed.

Wone's friends were charged with obstruction of justice and acquitted in 2010. They later settled a wrongful death suit with Wone’s wife.

No one has been charged with Wone's murder.

📺 Zoom in: The two-episode series examines the prosecution’s many theories, including that Wone was sexually assaulted and/or drugged; that someone cleaned his body before 911 was contacted; and that there wasn’t nearly enough blood at the scene for a stabbing.

It also digs into homophobia during the investigation. Price, Zaborsky, and Ward are gay and were in romantic relationships with one other. During the initial investigation, D.C. authorities questioned why Wone would spend the night with three gay friends.

Viewers get an updated look at the infamous Swann St. house where Wone was killed. Parts of the crime scene were recreated inside.

Longtime residents will recognize some of the names and faces who help anchor the documentary, including journalist Harry Jaffe and Craig Brownstein, who started a blog about the murder.

What’s next: Director Jared P. Scott told Washingtonian that he hopes the series will  “​​be the catalyst for some new information to come to light.”

For more on Wone’s case, check out the Casefile podcast’s episode.

Revisiting the Wone murder mystery

And not just for the peek inside the updated Swann Street house where it happened.

The Swann Street house where Wone was killed. 

The Swann Street house where lawyer Robert Wone was killed. Photo: Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post

Peacock recently debuted “<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Who Killed Robert Wone" data-vars-click-url="https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&amp;ai=CTGuVmIgUZNjlEInXj-8Pndis4AHKy7O2b5Wz6bqMEZylm76JOggAEAEguVRgyeaYjeykgBCgAZrR4dQCyAEByAPYIKoEXU_QEotH502EwnWliRUwxmtNnFqAxfg17IQxhiAa2rmIadBbIvknJtDmGJ9W9WBnQOYJUDWkkLenhaelgaCkxSZ-V5gkYjOS27I-PnPMH3a9aIXrmpn4hp2erkfLzcAEzaG46ZwEgAWQTogF9Jr920mgBmaAB86unqsBiAcBkAcBqAemvhuoB7ytsQKoB7mrsQKoB7masQKoB_PRG6gH7tIbqAf_nLECqAfK3BuoB7uksQKoB9imsQKoB5GqsQKoB9uqsQKoB9CqsQKgCMDopQSwCAHSCBcQAiCEAzIEg-CADjoCAAJCAQRI0ezzKpoJVGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnBlYWNvY2t0di5jb20vd2F0Y2gtb25saW5lL3R2L3doby1raWxsZWQtcm9iZXJ0LXdvbmUvODMzMDAyNzA3ODAxNjQ3ODExMrEJ7VOm6-hM16W5CdyIqTcZRrwH-AkB4AsBqgwCCAG4DAHoDAaqDQJVU4IUIggBEh53aG8ga2lsbGVkIHJvYmVydCB3b25lIHBlYWNvY2vIFJSAxNSXu_GHatAVAZgWAfgWAYAXAZIXCRIHCAEQAxjSAeAXAg&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi-r46KpeP9AhVJFlkFHZPgDq0Q0Qx6BAgIEAE&amp;nis=8&amp;cid=CAASFeRo_j7rci24TKEk8iuCvHSL8v0-9g&amp;dblrd=1&amp;sival=AF15MEDIb5c69gClPzfvW7tMdeEpxlXlGonh7umOQyo0LHLuXCuBuUdivS56XcHIGwo9cD_2L9ksTh9AIvgef_CEYfat5jwXc2hwu-hkq2DZcr1IKuV-6b747feI2J-Vec8ZZtn5SJZNEwErm2t6FADAnSycHYSuhr-WVqO2OLSie6-1sRYxkEnWb5rKRlFTNYJ1DYzO9kZ3&amp;sig=AOD64_1iF4oemSXppDfHbVr8O0hzR-CZcA&amp;adurl=https://clickserve.dartsearch.net/link/click%3Flid%3D43700075486237656%26ds_s_kwgid%3D58700008304959265%26ds_a_cid%3D359607525%26ds_a_caid%3D19788680564%26ds_a_agid%3D145176269005%26ds_a_fiid%3D%26ds_a_lid%3Dkwd-1995411215004%26ds_a_extid%3D%26%26ds_e_adid%3D650692610594%26ds_e_matchtype%3Dsearch%26ds_e_device%3Dc%26ds_e_network%3Dg%26%26ds_url_v%3D2%26ds_dest_url%3Dhttps://d.agkn.com/pixel/4102/%3Fche%3D%26col%3D71700000107510141,700000002023311,58700008304959265,0,0,%7Bgclid%7D%26l1%3Dhttps://www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/tv/who-killed-robert-wone/8330027078016478112%3Fcid%3D2303orgwkrwpkpdsearch11884%26utm_campaign%3D2303orgwkrw%26utm_source%3Dpk_ggl_gglsa%26utm_medium%3Dpd_search_br_srcpy%26utm_term%3D130703%26utm_content%3D130703_130703%26gclsrc%3Daw.ds%26" data-vars-content-id="98a98818-9fac-44a2-aa23-4a358076fe2c" data-vars-headline="Revisiting the Wone murder mystery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&amp;ai=CTGuVmIgUZNjlEInXj-8Pndis4AHKy7O2b5Wz6bqMEZylm76JOggAEAEguVRgyeaYjeykgBCgAZrR4dQCyAEByAPYIKoEXU_QEotH502EwnWliRUwxmtNnFqAxfg17IQxhiAa2rmIadBbIvknJtDmGJ9W9WBnQOYJUDWkkLenhaelgaCkxSZ-V5gkYjOS27I-PnPMH3a9aIXrmpn4hp2erkfLzcAEzaG46ZwEgAWQTogF9Jr920mgBmaAB86unqsBiAcBkAcBqAemvhuoB7ytsQKoB7mrsQKoB7masQKoB_PRG6gH7tIbqAf_nLECqAfK3BuoB7uksQKoB9imsQKoB5GqsQKoB9uqsQKoB9CqsQKgCMDopQSwCAHSCBcQAiCEAzIEg-CADjoCAAJCAQRI0ezzKpoJVGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnBlYWNvY2t0di5jb20vd2F0Y2gtb25saW5lL3R2L3doby1raWxsZWQtcm9iZXJ0LXdvbmUvODMzMDAyNzA3ODAxNjQ3ODExMrEJ7VOm6-hM16W5CdyIqTcZRrwH-AkB4AsBqgwCCAG4DAHoDAaqDQJVU4IUIggBEh53aG8ga2lsbGVkIHJvYmVydCB3b25lIHBlYWNvY2vIFJSAxNSXu_GHatAVAZgWAfgWAYAXAZIXCRIHCAEQAxjSAeAXAg&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi-r46KpeP9AhVJFlkFHZPgDq0Q0Qx6BAgIEAE&amp;nis=8&amp;cid=CAASFeRo_j7rci24TKEk8iuCvHSL8v0-9g&amp;dblrd=1&amp;sival=AF15MEDIb5c69gClPzfvW7tMdeEpxlXlGonh7umOQyo0LHLuXCuBuUdivS56XcHIGwo9cD_2L9ksTh9AIvgef_CEYfat5jwXc2hwu-hkq2DZcr1IKuV-6b747feI2J-Vec8ZZtn5SJZNEwErm2t6FADAnSycHYSuhr-WVqO2OLSie6-1sRYxkEnWb5rKRlFTNYJ1DYzO9kZ3&amp;sig=AOD64_1iF4oemSXppDfHbVr8O0hzR-CZcA&amp;adurl=https://clickserve.dartsearch.net/link/click%3Flid%3D43700075486237656%26ds_s_kwgid%3D58700008304959265%26ds_a_cid%3D359607525%26ds_a_caid%3D19788680564%26ds_a_agid%3D145176269005%26ds_a_fiid%3D%26ds_a_lid%3Dkwd-1995411215004%26ds_a_extid%3D%26%26ds_e_adid%3D650692610594%26ds_e_matchtype%3Dsearch%26ds_e_device%3Dc%26ds_e_network%3Dg%26%26ds_url_v%3D2%26ds_dest_url%3Dhttps://d.agkn.com/pixel/4102/%3Fche%3D%26col%3D71700000107510141,700000002023311,58700008304959265,0,0,%7Bgclid%7D%26l1%3Dhttps://www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/tv/who-killed-robert-wone/8330027078016478112%3Fcid%3D2303orgwkrwpkpdsearch11884%26utm_campaign%3D2303orgwkrw%26utm_source%3Dpk_ggl_gglsa%26utm_medium%3Dpd_search_br_srcpy%26utm_term%3D130703%26utm_content%3D130703_130703%26gclsrc%3Daw.ds%26" target="_blank">Who Killed Robert Wone</a>?” a documentary about the unsolved murder of a young D.C. lawyer in 2006 that captivated people inside the Beltway and out.🍿What&#x27;s happening: The documentary doesn’t crack the &quot;real-life parlor mystery,&quot; as the Washington Post once <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="called" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/31/AR2009053102510.html" data-vars-content-id="98a98818-9fac-44a2-aa23-4a358076fe2c" data-vars-headline="Revisiting the Wone murder mystery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/31/AR2009053102510.html" target="_blank">called</a> it. But it&#x27;s totally worth a watch for true-crime fans or locals who were obsessed with the case.

Data: Metropolitan Police Department. Note: Motorists should also be mindful of parking restrictions along the race route. Map: Simran Parwani/Axios

D.C. is starting its favorite season with a bang – the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon and 5k on St. Patrick’s Day weekend. 

Why it matters: The race on Saturday brings friends and family to town, but it’s also a traffic nightmare.

What’s happening: If you need to drive around D.C. this weekend, especially downtown, there are quite a few parking and road restrictions to know about.

Much of North Capitol St., Constitution Ave., and surrounding streets will be closed to parking starting as early as Friday night. Here’s the full list.

Many road closures will be downtown, but the half marathon course goes through a big chunk of Northwest, including through Columbia Heights.

Race organizers say 17,000 runners are registered.

On the bright side: Most St. Patrick’s Day parades were last weekend so Washingtonians won’t have to fight through multiple large events at the same time.

Plus: The marathon event includes a bunch of free entertainment that’s open to anyone. You can see a couple of bands and a DJ at the finish line on the National Mall near the Capitol from 8:15am to 1:30pm.

And several groups will play on stages around the course, including:

Batalá, a popular all-female Afro-Brazilian band.

A motivational drill sergeant, which sounds interesting.

An Abe Lincoln impersonator, to keep runners honest.

Big weekend road closures, mapped

D.C. is starting its favorite season with a bang – the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon and 5k on St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Why it matters: The race on Saturday brings friends and family to town, but it’s also a traffic nightmare.

Paige Hopkins

Featured stories

Hirshhorn’s Kusama exhibition extended into the summer

D.C.'s apartment amenities arms race

Revisiting the Wone murder mystery

Big weekend road closures, mapped

House Hunt: Empty-nesting in D.C.'s Columbia Heights